If you have a pet and like more luxurious fabrics, you may have to settle for using them as window coverings and tapestries that are well out of reach. Textiles with loose weaves and nubby loops are highly susceptible to snags, and are difficult to repair if damaged. Here are some fabrics to avoid if you have pets in the home.

Chenille is very durable and soft, and tends to hide dirt well, but the pile is uneven and easy to snag on cat claws.

Silk is very delicate, so animals will destroy it quickly. Velvet is also very luxurious, but easy to damage and very difficult to clean.

Tweed is like a magnet for pet hair. It becomes embedded in the rough surface, and is almost impossible to clean. Pet claws can easily snag and tear the fabric, too, so it’s best avoided.

Choosing textiles that are darker in color, patterned, evenly textured and with a tight weave work best in homes with pets. Keep this information in mind when choosing fabrics and furniture for your home.

If you need more advice and is in #Singapore. Contact us.

Looking for reupholstery to change the look of your home? We will be able to assist you.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a sofa – it is the crown jewel of the living room. We spend hours on it chatting to guests, napping on it after a long day and watching our favourite television shows, so choose the right sofa suited to your preference!

Aside from choosing the colour and the fabric of the sofa, keep in mind the quality and personal comfort. Thus arises the age-old question – is a soft or a firm sofa better?

This is a question that many of our customers have asked us. While a soft sofa might be comfortable, there are many disadvantages that come with it.

A soft sofa initially may be the obvious choice, but too comfortable a sofa may actually be ruining your back. Physiotherapists have warned against soft sofas with deep cushions as 20% of customers who have purchased soft sofas have complained of lower backache and shoulder strain. Soft sofas actually encourage people to slouch rather than facilitate good postural habits. “Soft upholstery may not give the spine and neck the support that is required,” notes Richard Evans, physiotherapist of the Back and Body Clinic, “by sitting for too long, especially in a poor postural or slumped position you can add a tremendous amount of pressure to your back, overstretch the spinal ligaments and increase the pressure on your intervertebral discs. This in turn can lead to on-going aches and pains.”

However, softer sofas are particularly popular for those with kids. Kids might not be big enough to sit fully on the sofa, so having a soft sofa allows them to lie on the seat cushion, and kids generally have lots of fun bouncing around on them. However, those with pets should note that softer sofas are more susceptible to wear and tear should your pet like to lie on your sofa a lot. A common case is an indentation in the shape of your pet forming in the soft sofa.

On the other hand, firm sofas are ideal for optimum back support. In addition to promoting good posture, firm sofas are also good for hosting guests. Sofas soften with prolonged use, so getting a firm sofa will become soft over time. However, too firm a sofa can take away the joy of sinking into a comfortable sofa after a long day of work, so ensure that you strike a balance. Adding soft cushions can boost the profile of the sofa, ensuring a good mix of softness and firmness that you can enjoy. If your sofa would be used to host guests often, a firmer sofa would definitely be the better choice, as a soft sofa is much less durable. A firm sofa makes sitting upright and talking easier, as compared to sinking back on a soft seat, providing a comfortable talking environment.

We’ve often been asked by our customers how firm our sofas are. Most of our sofas are made of high-quality dense foam which is slightly firmer than the average sofa cushion. Our reason for preferring such a firmness is that we want our sofas to be durable and versatile.

Customers who prefer a softer sofa can add soft cushions, or sometimes even a layer of cloth over the sofa seat to increase the amount of cushioning. However, because we are the manufacturers, we’re able to customize the firmness of the sofa. If you’d like a softer, customized sofa, feel free to contact our team and we’ll see what we can do for you! www.centrepiece.com.sg or email: info@centrepiece.com.sg

All in all, it all boils down to personal preference. Take your time in deciding which sofa works best for you!